The United States Government is making it difficult for Canadians to access the Stanstead Library, which, an iconic building that extends to horcated on the border, according to the city officials and the library.
Haskell’s free library and opera, built in 1904, has declared a patrimonial site in both countries and for a long time has been considered a symbol of harmony between Canada and the United States.
The mayor of Stanstead, representatives of the library and local residents, spoke on Friday against the decision of the United States government to limit the access of Canadians to the main entrance to the building.
Jody Stone, the mayor of Stanstead, said he had been established an agreement for more than a century to share access to the building. Stone, who grew in the area, said the restrictions undermine the spirit of cross -border collaboration in the area.
“We drank the same water, we shared the same sewerage plant,” he said at a press conference near the library.
“Without borders, you wouldn’t even know that we were two separate communities. Today’s announcement makes no sense in my opinion.”
The border line literally runs along the library floor, but the main entrance is on the American side in Derby Line, vt.
Until now, the library was considered a neutral location, allowing Canadians to visit without having to go through the procedures of a normal border, with patrol officers ensuring that everyone returns from where they came from.
Retaining tears, American resident Penny Thomas said that Canada has been a firm ally and “does not deserve to be treated in this way.”
“What the United States is doing is wrong. I am ashamed of how the United States of America is treating Canada,” said Thomas, who came to the press conference to show his support.
“It’s irrational. It’s cruel,” he said about the decision.
Sylvie Boudreau, president of the Free Free Library of Haskell and the Board of Trustees of the House of the Opera in Stanstead, which, spoke on Friday about how the library will work after the changes in us affect how Canadians can access the historical installation.
The library says it will adapt
Sylvie Boudreau, president of the Library’s Trustee Board, said a border patrol officer of the United States told him earlier this week that direct access from Canada will be closed, starting in October.
In an interview with CBC, Boudreau said she was overwhelmed by development and near tears. Boudreau said he was “sad, disappointed, even angry, but we will rise above all this.”
For now, Boudreau said that the US entry will still be available for members with a library card, as well as staff.
Boudreau said that the library will need to renew an entry on the Canadian side, and she already had plans to meet with a contractor.
“It will be a lot of restructuring, a lot of money to spend,” he said, estimating the price of Pricetag in more than $ 100,000. She said, however, that within the library things will be “business as always.”
It goes up in the “unlawful cross -border activity,” says the American border patrol
In a statement sent by email, Us Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said it has allowed library customers to access their sidewalk without inspection for decades.
“During that time, this area has witnessed a continuous increase in illicit cross -border activity,” said the statement.
He said that a gradual approach will be established to align with his objective of “100 percent border security.”
Until October 1, non -librarians members trying to enter the US.
The spokesman said that during this time, the members of the library may continue the use of the sidewalk with membership test.
As of October 1, all Canada visitors who wish to use the main entrance must be presented in an entrance port to enter the library from the United States, CBP said.
There will be continuous exceptions to this plan that includes “application of the law, doctors, fires, mail/package delivery, official workers, school visits (with notice to CBP) and disabled individuals”.
Stanstead, which., And Derby Line, vt., Share a street and a library that extends to horcajadas on the border. But the barrier that separates both communities now feels more than ever.
The new restrictions in the library occur in the midst of high tensions between the United States and Canada, and almost two months after the National Secretary of National Security Kristi Noem visited the library.
According to Boudreau, when Noem visited, he stopped on the American side and said “United States No. 1” and then, after crossing the Canadian side, said “State 51”. Boudreau said Noem did this several times.
“I’m losing the dream,” says the resident
“That was definitely provocative,” said Sarah Macneil, referring to Noem’s comments.
“In Stanstead, we feel that we are being attacked due to our geographical situation.”
Macneil says he has heard of the The concerns of the United States about fentanyl And migrants cross the United States, but she thinks this movement is more than those problems.
“They are finding a high profile location on the border that represents the community, harmony, good will and cooperation between our two countries and are trying to close that,” Macneil said, adding that if the library was not a safe area, she would not bring her children there.
She remembers a moment when there were “pots instead of fences” along the border.
Clément Jacques, resident of Stanstead and member of the library, said the building “belongs to both countries.”
“Quebec and Canada[‘s] The government put money to build the extension and the Americans did the same. “He says the comments on how to make Canada the State 51 that worries him.
“I am losing the dream,” Jacques said, showing his shiny red cap that said “Canada is not on sale.”
“I hope tomorrow wake me up as a Canadian.
Wendy Linington said he is using the library for 25 years. She said it was “perfect” before this decision, and said it was “enraged” after listening to the news.
She said the president of the United States, Donald Trump, is “choosing the wrong country.”
